Kids and adults alike will find a mildly altered adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” but one no less intriguing, when they flock to the Bowlus Fine Arts Center for “Willy Wonka Jr.”
Tickets for the production are free, courtesy of a gift to the public, and may be picked up at Sophisticated Rose, 19 S. Jefferson Ave. Funds from the Whitehead Trust make the free tickets possible. Tickets are required for seating.
The play will be staged at 7:30 Friday and Saturday nights and at 2 p.m. Sunday.
“We decided we wanted all the kids in the area to have a chance to see the play and the Whitehead Trust was good enough to help us out,” said Richard Spencer, the play’s director.
“Willy Wonka Jr.” tells the story of a benevolent candymaker who hides five golden tickets in his famous Wonka Bars, chocolate so rich and delicious that kids can’t resist. Children who find the tickets get a tour of Wonka’s secretive factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate.
“Wonka Jr.” tracks experiences of the five winners, but mostly Charlie Buckle, whose desperately poor family can hardly afford basic food, much less something as superfluous as candy.
Four of the young ticket holders have character flaws that irritate Wonka, but Charlie is Wonka’s kind of kid, generous and honest to a fault. In the end Charlie gets much more than chocolate for a lifetime, Wonka gives him the factory to operate as his own.
JORDAN Strickler is Wonka and plays the part with aplomb. He reels off dialogue and vocals in bold fashion that delight throughout the 70-minute production. Strickler’s mannerisms are reminiscent of Gene Wilder, who played Wonka in the original 1971 film version.
Aaron Terhune brings Charlie to life. He is every bit the sweet (no pun intended) kid who understands and accepts his family’s circumstances and is enthralled when he finally pulls a golden ticket from a chocolate bar.
Isaiah Wicoff plays the gluttonous Augustus Gloop, who leaves the stage after falling in a vat of chocolate; Danielle Venter is Violet Beauregard, who inflates, through the magic of stagecraft, into a giant bubble after eating top-secret gum; Allana Knavel plays Veruca Salt, a spoiled child whose middle name is Avarice; River Hess portrays Mike Teavee, whose failing is a modern one for kids, unbridled interest in electronic gadgets.
All have ample time on stage to showcase their talents, which demonstrates the depth of local talent.
All in the cast are young, including many who have appeared in ICT productions previously.
Cody Cokely plays Charlie’s father, Audrea Stahl his mother and Colton Schubert Grandpa Joe.
Sarah Gonzales, a newcomer to ICT, impresses as Phineous Trout, a reporter interviewing ticket winners. Often her expressions say more than her dialogue.
